Tax Incentives
Productions in British Columbia can access a variety of provincial and federal tax credit programs and if eligibility requirements are met, a producer can combine them to access exceptional savings.

Tax Credits Available To Foreign Film And Television Producers:


British Columbia Tax Credits
The British Columbia Production Services Tax Credit (PSTC) encourages film, television and animation production in BC and can be accessed by a broad range of foreign productions.

Components are as follows:

British Columbia production companies will receive the Film Incentive BC tax credit, which includes:

  • a basic credit of 35 per cent of qualified labour costs;
  • a “Distant Region” tax credit of 18.5 per cent for productions filmed in the Okanagan / Similkameen / Boundary Region.
  • a film training tax credit for approved training programs; and
  • a digital animation or visual effects credit of 15 per cent.

Canadian and international production companies could qualify for the Production Services Tax Credit, which has three components:

  • a basic credit of 25 per cent of qualified labour costs;
  • a “Distant Region” tax credit of 12 per cent for productions filmed in the Okanagan / Similkameen / Boundary Region.
  • a digital animation or visual effects credit of 15 per cent.

For more information for British Columbia's process, eligibility and time lines, contact the program administrator:

British Columbia Film
2225 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6K 2E4
Phone: (604) 736-7997
Fax: (604) 736-7290
Email: bcf@bcfilm.bc.ca
Web: www.bcfilm.bc.ca


Canadian Federal Tax Credit
The Canadian Federal Government's Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit is primarily for foreign production and has been increased to 16% of Canadian labour costs from 11%.

For more information on Canadian federal tax credit contact:

Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO)
Department of Canadian Heritage
100 Sparks Street, 4th Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0M5
Phone: (613) 946-7600
Toll Free: (888) 433-2200
Fax: (613) 946-7602
Web: www.pch.gc.ca/cavco


For further information on domestic and foreign tax credits, please visit www.bcfilmcommission.com.